# US 10,309,592 B2 · Rear facing multi-light and function light bar > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,309,592 B2 - Document ID: US10309592B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/673,021 - Filed: 2017-08-09 - Published: 2018-02-15 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2016-08-10 - Assignees: Bestop Baja, LLC - Applicants: Bestop Baja, LLC - Inventors: Alan R. Roach; Christopher C. Johnson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309592B2 ## CPC - F21S 43/14: Light emitting diodes [LED] - B60Q 1/2607: {comprising at least two indicating lamps} - B60Q 1/2696: {Mounting of devices using LEDs} - F21S 4/28: rigid, e.g. LED bars - F21S 43/15: Strips of light sources - F21S 43/19: Attachment of light sources or lamp holders - F21S 43/26: {Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255} - F21S 43/27: Attachment thereof - B60Q 1/30: for indicating rear of vehicle, e.g. by means of reflecting surfaces - F21Y 2103/10: comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements - F21Y 2115/10: Light-emitting diodes [LED] - F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - F21Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED ## Abstract A rear facing light bar assembly that incorporates a plurality of light functions in a small integrated unit. A multifunctional circuit board powers different colored light emitting diodes to produce the tail light, brake light, amber and/or backup light. The assembly also has end caps, a one-piece polycarbonate tube lens and an extruded housing. Heat from the circuit board is dissipated through the end caps and into the extruded housing. The assembly is constructed such that the electronics are completely protected from the outside environment, and sealed from water and dust intrusion. The light also minimizes tooling and assembly cost, yet provides a secure seal protecting the electrical components. In addition, the light is serviceable so individual parts can be replaced or repaired if parts are damaged. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rear facing light bar assembly for a vehicle, comprising: an extruded housing; a polycarbonate tube lens coupled to the extruded housing; a first end cap and a second end cap operably connected to ends of the polycarbonate tube lens to create a seal between the polycarbonate tube lens and the first and second end caps; a plurality of light emitting diodes located within the polycarbonate tube lens; a circuit board operable to selectively power the plurality of light emitting diodes to provide predetermined lighting functions, said circuit board located within the polycarbonate tube lens and in direct contact with the first and second end caps to allow transfer of heat away from the circuit board through the end caps; wherein the first and second end caps are connected to ends of the extruded housing with a plurality of fasteners, wherein the heat transferred away from the circuit board through the first and second end caps transfers to the extruded housing where it is dissipated. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The rear facing light bar assembly of claim 1, further comprising a dual O-ring provided on each of said first and second end caps, wherein said dual O-rings create a weather tight seal between the polycarbonate tube lens and the first and second end caps, respectively. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The rear facing light bar assembly of claim 2, wherein each dual O-ring is provided on a smaller diameter portion of each of the first and second end caps and each smaller diameter portion is inserted into respective ends of the polycarbonate tube lens. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The rear facing light bar assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second end caps each include at least one slot sized to hold the ends of the circuit board, respectively, to lock the circuit board in place inside the polycarbonate tube lens. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The rear facing light bar assembly of claim 4, wherein each slot is a chamfered slot to account for any varying tolerances of the circuit board by guiding the circuit board into the chamfered slot quickly and easily during assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The rear facing light bar assembly of claim 1, further comprising a channel formed in the extruded housing operable to hold the polycarbonate tube lens within the channel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The rear facing light bar assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second end caps are billet aluminum. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The rear facing light bar assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cord overmold operably connected to one of the first or second end caps, wherein at least one power cord for the circuit board extends through said cord overmold. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The rear facing light bar assembly of claim 8, wherein the cord overmold includes a smaller diameter portion operably connected to an aperture formed in the second end cap. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The rear facing light bar assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged on at least one continuous optic in predetermined sequences of a predetermined plurality of colors. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The rear facing light bar assembly of claim 10, wherein the circuit board is a multifunctional circuit board that controls said plurality of light emitting diodes in plurality of colors to provide said predetermined lighting functions. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The rear facing light bar assembly of claim 11, wherein said predetermined lighting functions are selected from the group consisting of a tail light, brake light, warning light, back up light and combinations thereof. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The rear facing light bar assembly of claim 1, wherein the extruded housing includes a plurality of channels for mounting the rear facing light bar assembly. ### Claim 14 A rear facing light bar assembly for a vehicle, comprising: an extruded housing; a polycarbonate tube lens operably coupled to said extruded housing; a dual circuit board assembly operably sealed within said polycarbonate tube lens; a plurality of light emitting diodes operably sealed within said polycarbonate tube lens; and a first end cap and second end cap operably connected to the polycarbonate tube lens; at least one seal provided on each of said first and second end caps, wherein said polycarbonate tube lens creates a tight seal between itself and the first and second end caps using said seal on each end; at least one cord overmold, which houses power cords for said circuit board; wherein said rear light bar assembly incorporates a predetermined plurality of desired lighting functions; wherein the first and second end caps are connected to ends of the extruded housing with a plurality of fasteners, wherein the heat transferred away from the circuit board through the first and second end caps transfers to the extruded housing where it is dissipated. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The rear light bar assembly of claim 14, wherein said first and second end caps have direct contact with said dual circuit board assembly for instant heat transfer, wherein heat flows away from said circuit board through said first and second end caps and into said extrusion housing. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The rear light bar assembly of claim 14, wherein the extruded housing is a lightweight aluminum extruded housing. ### Claim 17 A rear facing light bar assembly for a vehicle, comprising: at least one extruded housing; at least one cylindrical tube lens coupled to the at least one extruded housing; a dual circuit board; at least one continuous lighting optic with a plurality of light sources operably coupled to the dual circuit board; a first end cap; a second end cap; and a cord operably connected to the second end cap; wherein the cylindrical tube lens surrounding the circuit board and creates a tight seal between the cylindrical tube lens and the first and second end caps using a seal located on each of the first and second end caps; and wherein the dual circuit board assembly is a multifunctional circuit board that operably powers the plurality of light sources to selectively perform a plurality of predetermined lighting functions, said lighting functions selected from the group consisting of a tail light, brake light, warning light, back up light and combinations thereof; wherein the first and second end caps are connected to ends of the extruded housing with a plurality of fasteners, wherein the heat transferred away from the circuit board through the first and second end caps transfers to the extruded housing where it is dissipated. ### Claim 18 A rear facing light bar assembly for a vehicle, comprising: an extruded housing; a polycarbonate tube lens coupled to the extruded housing; a first end cap and a second end cap operably connected to ends of the polycarbonate tube lens to create a seal between the polycarbonate tube lens and the first and second end caps; a plurality of light emitting diodes located within the polycarbonate tube lens; a circuit board operable to selectively power the plurality of light emitting diodes to provide predetermined lighting functions, said circuit board located within the polycarbonate tube lens and in direct contact with the first and second end caps to allow transfer of heat away from the circuit board through the end caps; a cord operably connected to one of the first or second end caps, wherein at least one power cord for the circuit board extends through said cord overmold; wherein the first and second end caps are connected to ends of the extruded housing with a plurality of fasteners, wherein the heat transferred away from the circuit board through the first and second end caps transfers to the extruded housing where it is dissipated.